It has been the 1396 th day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression.
What happened in Ukraine today:
Here is operational information of the General Staff as of 4 pm:
On 20 December, there were 128 combat engagements on the frontline.
Communities in the settlements of Volfyne, Ryzhivka, Kucherivka, Novovasylivka, Kozache, and Iskryskivshchyna in Sumy oblast, as well as Kliusy, Mkhy, Buchky, Hremiach, Khrinivka, and Yanzhulivka in Chernihiv oblast, came under enemy artillery fire.
Towards Northern Sloboda and Kursk, there were five enemy attacks. In addition, the enemy carried out 59 shelling attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, four of them using multiple launch rocket systems.
Towards Southern Sloboda, there were ten combat engagements, with the enemy attacking in the vicinity of Vovchansk, Prylipka, Izbytske and Hryhorivka.
Towards Kupiansk, Ukrainian forces repelled five enemy attacks in the vicinity of Stepova Novoselivka, Nova Kruhliakivka and Pishchane; one combat engagement is still ongoing.
Towards Lyman, the invading army carried out five attacks on Ukrainian positions in the vicinity of Zarichne, Seredne, Kolodiazi, and Korovyn Yar; three engagements are still ongoing.
Towards Sloviansk, the enemy attacked seven times near Dronivka, Siversk, and Vyimka; four engagements are currently ongoing.
Towards Kramatorsk, the enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders twice near the settlements of Vasiukivka and Stupochky.
Towards Kostiantynivka, there were 15 enemy attempts to break through Ukrainian defenses in the areas of Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Yablunivka, Rusyn Yar, and Sofiivka.
Towards Pokrovsk, russian occupiers made 52 attempts to push Ukrainian troops from their positions in the vicinity of Nykanorivka, Shakhove, Myrnohrad, Rodynske, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Novoserhiivka, Dachne, and Novopavlivka. The Defense Forces are holding the line and repelled 50 attacks.
Towards Oleksandrivka, Ukrainian defenders stopped 11 enemy assaults in the areas of Filiia, Piddubne, Sosnivka, Verbove, Vyshneve, and Zlahoda.
Towards Huliaipole, the aggressor attempted to advance on Ukrainian positions 11 times in the vicinity of Varvarivka, Zelene, and Huliaipole; two combat engagements are still ongoing.
Towards Orikhiv, there were two enemy attacks in the area of Shcherbaky. The settlement of Preobrazhenka was struck by guided aerial bombs.
Towards Kherson, the enemy made two unsuccessful attempts to approach the positions of Ukrainian units near the Antonivskyi Bridge.
Recent war events in the east of Ukraine
Kharkiv oblast
There were 165 combat clashes in the oblast.
Towards Southern Sloboda, the enemy stormed the positions of Ukrainian units ten times near the settlements of Vovchansk, Prylipka and Izbitske.
Towards Kupiansk, there were six attacks by the occupiers. The defense forces repelled the enemy’s assault actions in the vicinity of Pishchane and towards Petropavlivka, Kupiansk, and Bohuslavka.
The number of victims of the enemy attack on a gas station in Novovodolazka community on December 12 increased. A 45-year-old man who was seriously injured during enemy strikes died in the hospital. Two victims are currently under the supervision of doctors.
3 settlements in Kharkiv oblast were hit by enemy strikes. There were no casualties as a result of the shelling.
The enemy used 2 FPV drones and 2 UAVs.
Civil infrastructure facilities were damaged and destroyed:
▪️In Kupiansk region, an apartment building was damaged (Shevchenkove village);
▪️In Chuhuiv region, a car was damaged (Matalivka village).
The transit evacuation point in Lozova received 102 people. 39 people remained. A total of 15,249 people have been registered at the Point since it began operating.
What is happening now in the north of Ukraine
Kyiv oblast
Kyiv City State Administration reported that four air raid sirens lasted for almost four hours in the capital this week.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro visited Kyiv. Together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he honoured the memory of fallen Ukrainian defenders at the Wall of Remembrance on Mykhailivska Square. During a joint press conference with media representatives, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro for the implementation of projects to restore educational infrastructure in Chernihiv and Cherkasy.
Svyatoshynskyi district state administration reported that residential buildings damaged by russian attacks are being restored. Currently, roofs and facades are being repaired in the buildings, and entrances are being restored in some of the apartments. All objects have different types of damage, so the work is being carried out individually, taking into account their technical condition.
The regional prosecutor’s office reported that two more russian soldiers will be brought to justice for war crimes committed during the occupation of Kyiv oblast. In March 2022, two russian soldiers abused local residents of villages in the Vyshhorod district. One man suffered numerous bodily injuries as a result of beatings: the russian soldier beat him with the butt of his rifle on his face, head and body while conducting an ‘interrogation.’ The second civilian was illegally detained for three days in premises without light, heating or ventilation. He was not fed and was not provided with any medical assistance.
Kyiv City State Administration reported that Kyiv City Council had increased funding for the capital’s security and defence forces. The changes were made to the ‘Defender of Kyiv’ MCP for 2022-2026. In addition, in 2026, additional funding in the amount of UAH 1 billion 155 million is planned to ensure the mobilisation of conscripts, provide one-time targeted financial assistance to those called up for military service, and prepare citizens for national resistance.
In 2026, the capital has identified security, restoration of damaged housing and social infrastructure, and strengthening the city’s economic stability as priorities for social and economic development. More than UAH 19 billion has been allocated for public investment projects, which will be used to restore buildings, overhaul shelters and social facilities, improve energy efficiency, transport and life support facilities.
Canadian and British donors are investing an initial $7 million in the creation of Gen.Hope, a leading centre of expertise on the mental health of children and adolescents in war conditions, which combines the creation of the centre, programme activities, and the development of international expertise in the field of children’s mental health.
The city council announced that a Christmas charity fair will be held in Bucha on 21 December. All funds raised during the fair will be used to purchase gifts for children from the modular towns of Bucha community, as well as for a Plast fundraiser for the military.
Zhytomyr oblast
A meeting for parents and relatives of deceased servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was held in the Olevsk community. The initiative was launched by the local newspaper Zori nad Ubortyu, whose editorial staff collects and publishes the memories of the families of fallen soldiers and plans to create a book commemorating the heroes of Olevsk. Psychologists and social workers also joined the meeting.
On 19 December, a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was discharged from hospital for further rehabilitation. On 9 December, a piece of metal was removed from his heart at the O.F. Gerbachevsky Zhytomyr Regional Clinical Hospital. According to soldier Mykola, he plans to return to the Armed Forces of Ukraine after rehabilitation.
Sumy oblast
From the morning of 19 December to the morning of 20 December, russian forces carried out nearly 50 attacks on 22 settlements across 10 territorial communities in the oblast. The highest number of strikes was recorded in Sumy and Shostka regions. The enemy used artillery, mortars, FPV drones, UAVs and guided aerial bombs. During the day, the air raid alert in the oblast lasted 9 hours 49 minutes.
Civilian infrastructure was damaged and destroyed:
- In Hlukhiv community, a private house was destroyed and residential buildings were damaged.
- In Druzhba community, civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged.
- In Velyka Pysarivka community, a private residential house was damaged.
- In Seredyna-Buda community, a private household and a civilian infrastructure facility were damaged.
- In Znob-Novhorodske community, a private house was destroyed.
- In Shalyhyne community, private residential houses were destroyed.
- In Velyka Pysarivka community, a shop building was damaged.
- In Krasnopillia community, a passenger car was damaged.
During the day, 13 people were evacuated from border communities by local authorities together with units of the State Emergency Service, the National Police and public organisations.
The State Bureau of Investigation informed that in Sumy, a grenade fuse detonated in the hands of an 11-year-old boy, causing injuries.
Chernihiv oblast
Chernihiv Border Detachment reported that on 19 December russian forces attacked three border communities in Chernihiv oblast: Horodnia, Semenivka and Snovsk. The enemy carried out mortar shelling (30 explosions) and artillery strikes (3 explosions), launched FPV drone attacks (3 explosions), and dropped an explosive device from a UAV (1 explosion). Five settlements came under enemy fire.
Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine
Dnipropetrovsk oblast
Mykola Lukashuk, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, reported that occupying forces struck Marhanets by a drone. A non-operational building caught fire. As a result of a UAV attack in Vasylkiv community, a private house and an outbuilding were damaged.
The enemy targeted the regional centre, as well as Marhanets, Myrove, Pokrovske and Chervonohryhorivka communities. Four private houses, a petrol station and infrastructure were damaged. Occupying forces also struck Hrusheve community by a drone, damaging outbuildings. Dubovykivka community was attacked by a guided aerial bomb, damaging private houses and a power line.
Vinnytsia oblast
In Vinnytsia, a rally was held in support of prisoners of war and those missing in action under the slogan “Do Not Be Silent — Captivity Kills.” The event was dedicated to fighters of the joint assault brigade “Liut,” with whom contact was lost on 20–21 December during a combat mission near Bohdanivka in Bakhmut region. Around 300 people gathered, including relatives of the missing and captured defenders, as well as concerned residents of Vinnytsia.
Kirovohrad oblast
In Holovanivsk community of Kirovohrad oblast, a volunteer fire protection unit has been established. It brings together 10 local residents. They assist rescuers from the State Emergency Service. The team is based in Yemylivka village.
Poltava oblast
During the defence of Ukraine against the russian army, soldiers Vitalii Kucha from Pyriatyn community and Oleksandr Chubenko from Myrhorod community were killed. Vitalii Kucha had been considered missing since October 2022, while Oleksandr Chubenko died as a result of shelling by a russian UAV.
Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia oblast
Ivan Fedorov, Head of the RMA, says that a 74-year-old man was injured in a russian drone attack on a car in Zaporizhia region.
Three people were injured in a russian drone attack on Polohy region. A residential building was destroyed as a result of the strike. A 77-year-old woman was found under the rubble of a destroyed house.
Ivan Fedorov, Head of the RMA, says that a 69-year-old man was killed as a result of a russian attack on Polohy region. The russian military struck with artillery in Huliaipoe and destroyed a private house. The man was killed on the spot.
the General Headquarters of the National Police of the region reports that according to updated data, eight people were injured as a result of a russian airstrike on Zaporizhia on December 19.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that 26 attacks by the russian army were repelled by the Defense Forces of Ukraine towards Orikhiv, Huliaipole and Oleksandrivka.
Ivan Fedorov, Head of the RMA, reports that there were 713 attacks on 19 cities and villages of the oblast on December 19. In particular, 270 times, artillery shelled the territory of Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Stepovoye, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Bilohirye, Varvarivka, Solodke, Dobropillia, and Charivne.
Mykolaiv oblast
The RMA reports that three shaheeds were destroyed over Mykolaiv oblast on the night of December 20.
Vitalii Kim, Head of the RMA, reported that the russian military was previously hit by KABs in the Bashtansky district, one person was wounded.
The russian army attacked the critical infrastructure of the oblast with shaheeds, garages and transport were also damaged. Currently, settlements in the Bashtanka, Voznesensk and Mykolaiv regions are without electricity. As of 7:43, there are no injured people.
During the day, the russian army pounded Kutsurub and Ochaksiv communities with artillery and attacked them three times with FPV drones.
Odesa oblast
The RMA reports that at around 8:00 a.m. on December 20, there was another hit on the tanks of the Pivdennyi port. The attacks are aimed at disrupting the logistical infrastructure of Odesa oblast and the communication of the South of Ukraine, but despite the constant strikes, work continues in the region to eliminate the consequences of the attacks. Currently, there are no difficulties in providing the region with medicines and food.
Over the past day, there was a missile strike from the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea. The russian army launched four Iskander-M ballistic missiles at the region.
Odesa Region’s State Emergency Service reported that as a result of the ballistic missile attack on the port infrastructure on the evening of December 19, eight people were killed, another 27 injured to varying degrees. Seven men aged 20 to 62 were killed.
Kherson oblast
The RMA reported that in Kherson, a 67-year-old woman was injured as a result of shelling of Korabelnyi district. She has a mine-explosive injury and shrapnel wounds. The woman was hospitalized.
In Kherson yesterday, a 71-year-old man was injured during russian shelling of the city center. The wounded man was diagnosed with a blast injury, concussion, and acute stress reaction.
The RMA reported that yesterday, at about 3:00 p.m., russian troops shelled a hospital in the Central district of Kherson. A 34-year-old worker was injured. He received a concussion and a mine-explosive injury.
Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of the RMA, says that eight people, including two children, were injured in the oblast. A theater, a church, an architectural monument, a municipal enterprise, a store, an office building, 29 high-rise buildings and 24 private houses, agricultural machinery, a garage and cars were damaged. The russian army shelled 35 settlements in the oblast.
Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine
Volyn oblast
A peaceful rally and motorcade took place in Novovolynsk – as a reminder of the Defenders who are in captivity, missing, and all those who are currently defending Ukraine at the front. Several dozen cars with blue-and-yellow flags, banners of combat brigades, and flags of hope drove through the city streets.
Zakarpattia oblast
UAH 100m from the budget of Uzhhorod city territorial community is planned for the Program of Support for Military Units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Other Military Formations for 2026-2027. The program provides for the provision of feasible material and technical assistance to military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations formed in accordance with the laws of Ukraine.
Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
There are 64 training centers in the Carpathian region where the Defense of Ukraine subject is taught. The training is conducted by 199 teachers, including 45 participants in the russian-Ukrainian war.
Lviv oblast
The parish of the Holy Trinity Church in the village of Tarasivka, Pidberiztsivska community, donated UAH 15,000 for the needs of the army.
UAH 27,500 was raised for the needs of soldiers from Pidberzitsivska community during the traditional annual charity event Mykolaiv for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Myklashiv.
At a meeting of Rava-Ruska City Council, they updated the programs for improving the logistical support of Military Units A0998 and A4355 and approved the program for improving the logistical support of the Military Unit A0284 in the amount of UAH 100,000.
Rivne oblast
In Zdolbunivka territorial center, specialists from Rivne Regional Center for Psychosocial Support organized a meeting for demobilized veterans of the community and their family members – a master class on making a Christmas carol (didukha). A special mood of the event was created by heartfelt Christmas carols performed by Sofia Omelchuk from the Center for Culture and Leisure. At a certain point, all participants joined in the singing – the carols sounded as a sign of community, memory, and hope.
Ternopil oblast
A Human Rights Protection Center has been opened in Ternopil. The center will provide legal advice and assistance, and has space for children and community initiatives.
Khmelnytskyi oblast
Khmelnytskyi community sent 12 DJI MATRICE 4T quadcopters to the combat brigade of the Defense Forces.
Chernivtsi oblast
Mahalskyi Orphanage received over a ton of humanitarian aid from partners in Bavaria. The institution received 10 beds with mattresses, sets of bed linen and bedside tables, as well as diapers and hygiene products.
International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)
Donald Trump, US President, has signed a law providing an additional $400m for the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is over 3,000 pages long. It creates a US defense budget of more than $900bn for next year, $8bn over the Trump administration had previously requested.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, announced that Ukraine and Portugal have signed a statement on the joint production of maritime drones.
Materials compiled by Tetyana Pidgorna, Olena Reka, Yana Hushchyna, Tamara Moshkovska, Sofia Ratynska, Ioanna Kryvenko, Helena Albahachiieva, Kristina Maknynia
Translated by Tetyana Pidgorna, Yana Hushchyna, Alla Litrovnyk, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Ilona Korolevska, Tetiana Moiseienko, Marharyta Koval, Tetiana Kurbatova
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